Islamic State : PKR, Yes or No?
July 26, 2007
I attended the DAP forum “An Islamic State After 50 Years” last night in the hope of getting Tan Sri Khalid, who was slotted to speak, to tell us what was the stand of PKR on this issue.
Would PKR come out openly, as DAP has, to stand by our secular constitution?
Tan Sri did not show up.
My discreet inquiries left me with the impression that the no show was in compliance with a directive from higher up.
If so, wonder why?
Anwar was quoted quite extensively by Malaysiakini in the report ‘Anwar raps Najib for “abysmal ignorance”‘ with regard to Najib’s ‘Islamic state’ controversy.
Anwar is reported to have said that Najib’s statement exposed Najib’s ‘dismal ignorance of what an Islamic state was all about’, was ‘calculated for political mileage’ and that ‘religion is a sensitive issue in Malaysia but if treaded with the mutual respect, wisdom and sobriety that the Federal Constitution, the nation’s founders and already established jurisprudence have espoused, the consensus that has served us well in the past will continue to remain relevant’.
Anwar is also reported to have said:
“His ( meaning Najib’s ) statement is a blatant attempt to pander to communal and religious passions,”
“It is a statement that aims to continue the battle of labels while ignoring the fundamental freedoms enshrined not only in our Federal Constitution but also in the higher objectives of the syariah”
“It is aimed at exploiting the tensions that recent controversies over cases of apostasy have spawned”
“It is shocking that as the nation approaches its 50th anniversary of Merdeka we have leaders who have no compunctions about fanning tensions rather than assuaging them”
“When these irresponsible statements are viewed against the backdrop of a rising crime rate, rampant corruption, arbitrary misuse of police power and continued deterioration in the judiciary, one is staggered by the spectacle of leaders fiddling and pandering while the country writhes in pain”
Anwar had a lot to say, didn’t he?
And yet I am none the wiser as to PKR’s stand on this issue.
Malaysiakini has also reported that Najib has appraised the heads of BN component parties that the next general elections will be held early next year.
We all know the stand of PAS on this issue. We do not need to hear from them
DAP has championed our secular state for as long as I can remember.
What about PKR?
Don’t we have a right to know, given recent announcements that PKR hopes to contest in 60 parliamentary seats?
Anwar, PKR, please quit the beating – about – the – bush and tell us plainly.
Is Malaysia a secular or an Islamic state?
The voters want to know.
July 26, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Since Khalid isn’t available, Anwar goes round in circles, here is a suggestion on the same question to the PKR information chief or something of that title. His name is probably Tian Chua. Let’s ask him.
July 26, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I doubt PKR could say anything on the issue. They need support from all cross section he society and so, unable to make a clear stand on the issue. Their best bet is to circumvent the issue altogether and avoid offending anyone.
Kinda sad really. I have expressed the same idea at my blog.
Hi Hafiz,
Could we count on your participation at the Merdeka do that is being planned?
July 26, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Hello Haris,
Thanks for the question.
Yes, PKR, is Malaysia an Islamic State or not.
On a further note, all this recent and past development has got me really thinking about the issues confronting us, our history, our future, why is it that we held ransom by the current political situation and no way of moving forward progressively.
Your platform of the people’s parliament has also got me thinking, just why must our democratic system be so shackled by racial line rather the issues confronting us. I must admit I am so novice in comprehending all this. It really affect all of us because just by the stroke of pen, chaos can easily happen in our country because of carelessness (and I suppose utter apathy) as much as the pen is mightier than the sword.
There is something riddling in my head right now and depending on the situation would like to meet any of your groups the soonest that I can after come to Malaysia. I am currently away from Malaysia and will be back in early September. Maybe for a teh-tarik or something or maybe meet up at a blogger get-together or in some forum that may come up.
I must admit that Malaysia Today latest article in the Corridor of Power has given me some hope about making Malaysia a better place.
Regards
Ok, now we have a proposal for a Merdeka get-together and one after that for teh tarik.
Great.
Send an e-mail when you’re back and we’ll try to organise a teh tarik session.
July 26, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Haris and Hafiz,
I too wanted to hear from Khalid on PKR’s stand on this issue. And what I hear from PKR high-ups, is that the party is treating Najib’s statement as a “smoke screen”
which, if people reacted to, would distract them from the real issues – corruption, economic slow-down, etc.
What’s the analysis here?
July 26, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Just to share a little bit.
I am currently in Switzerland. And their National Day is coming up next week on the first of August.
In a way, I really admire the Swiss political and democratic system in which the political power is very much vested in the people. It doesn’t mean that we must copy the Swiss but what can we learn from them? Theirs is a system rooted in their history and strong sense of freedom and coupled with the geographical environment were able to exercise that freedom inasmuch as they are surrounded by larger and powerful neighbour. They are also multi-racial (thus language and customs) and in someway also had their religious fault line in history even though they are largely within Christianity domain. Yet they are able to forge ahead inspite of all this challenges even today stand independent from being dominated by European Union.
What about Malaysia? I am acutely aware of how deficient my understanding of our early history, those prior to Merdeka, that is in the 1900s up to 1957 and even that of up to 1969.
There is a aspiration of what Malaysia can be in my head and thus my heart but what I want to know also what about others? The internet can only do so much and at time so sterile. That is why I prefer to meet you guys out in the flesh. So…see you guys soon.
Regards,
Moses
July 26, 2007 at 6:06 pm
since when did malaysia become an Islamic State?
you know, haris…they all can say a lot of things about this country only NOW. but my memory aint so bad. as far as i know, remember, understand et al… until somebody proves to me otherwise, Malaysia is not an ISLAMIC STATE.
(I remember Tun Dr M saying something to that effect as Najib while he was PM…didnt believe him then, dont believe nobody now)
hey… don’t go believing those politicians, man.
sorry, guys, i’m taking no crap from anyone. Malaysia — Muslim country by virtue of — well you know the standard : Islam being the official religion yada yada.
But not Islamic State. no way, jose.
(say, haris…am i less of a muslim and will i burn in hell for saying this? )
My dear,
I am not qualified to say if I am Muslim, much less whether you are less of a Muslim.
Burn in hell? No, lah, you are too nice. God is not like that, I think. I don’t think He judges you by the label you stick on your forehead.
These people forget that what is required is that you die in a state of Islam, not in an Islamic state.
July 26, 2007 at 8:04 pm
haris,
i don’t think it would have made a difference if Tan Sri Khalid had attended and spoken.
At the end of the night, we’d still be clueless on where PKR stands.
remember the Lina Joy conference?
He talked a lot without saying anything.
[couldn't make it last night. wasn't feeling well]
Hope you’re better today.
July 26, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Dear Haris,
I apologize but I’m unaware of any event being planned during August 31. May I ask what that would be about?
Dear Alvin,
Smokescreen, maybe but this question has been posed to PKR before Najib made that “Negara Islam” statement. Even during then, PKR has been too coy to answer the question.
July 26, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Haris,
You are just wasting so much precious energy, no doubt easily replaceable with a pint or two, on enquiring anything at all about PKR. I have long ago concluded and have previously advised a PKR insider that the biggest favour they can do us is to fold up and they can all join either DAP or PAS according to their own preferences. After all DAP is secular and they are NOT against any religion. Would Anwar be a lesser Muslim if he joined DAP? I don’t think so. Would some of the PAS members be any less Muslim if they joined DAP? I don’t think so.
It is so very easy to change the make up of DAP. I do not think DAP will refuse any Malay wishing to join DAP in its pursuit of Malaysia for Malaysians. Can DAP accomodate Malays? Why not? In Malay dominant areas you could also have a membership made up entirely of Malays. So What? If DAP is today racially identified, it is not because it is set to be so. It is just that Malays actually have bought into the UMNO and PAS indoctrination. Ater all there have been Malay DAP members in their Supreme council as well as Malay DAP MPs.
For the short time that we have available it would be a lot more easier to have a large number of Malays joining DAP and for them to stand against the BN in mixed race constituencies with substantial Malay numbers than for any Keadilan candidates to win. There is a better chance with Malay DAP candidates to win than any Keadilan candidate. I think it is about time DAP itself wakes up to the realisation that Anwar is nothing but just a spoiler. Invite Malays in Keadilan to join the DAP and go from there.
July 26, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Dear Haris,
I was attracted to your people parliament and certainly want to commend you on being the voice for many. For people who are now awaken from the long slumber and apathy, taking note of the unfulfilled promises made by our PM.
May I suggest that we can now safely say that the opposition have not taken the cue. They are still evaluating the political mileage to be gain from this cyber lalang fiasco when they should be championing the people rights on all fronts. Opposition where art thou?
Indeed, we have no worthy opponents capable of leading the people and keeping the promises enshrined in our Constitution for all. Instead the slaughter of the free and the meek has gone from gory to nauseating repulsion. I don’t read the newspapers anymore. Neither do I watch the news on TV.
God willing, please ring the bells of liberty and seek the worthy people parliament for a new leader; for who God is almighty and service to the rakyat is a blessing.
July 27, 2007 at 1:59 am
Paul: “Invite Malays in Keadilan to join the DAP and go from there.”
______________
Good idea but DAP has a lot of rebranding to do. Yes, they have been demonized by PAS/UMNO but at the same time, they haven’t put much effort into reaching out to the Malays. They should hire a good PR agency (yes, I know its expensive, but a few fund raisers should be able to cover the cost of a PR contract, or else find a PR agent who is sympathetic to DAP’s cause and can do it pro bono) and launch a public relations offensive, not to the urbanites who are quite familiar with DAP but to the rural areas. A change in name might help since DAP is closely associated with PAP. Malaysia Party/Parti Malaysia etc would have a nicer ring to it than DAP.
July 27, 2007 at 6:48 am
To that ********* with the name Razak behind who says the country is an Islamic state. When the Dayaks from Sarawak was encouraged to join Malaysia pre 1963 did Tungku or the father of that ********** with the name Razak behind even tell the Dayaks that they will be joining an Islamic state?
The ancestors of the Dayaks will rise from their grave and hunt that ********** with the name Razak behind if he ever rises higher in politics.
July 27, 2007 at 9:16 am
Banjaran
The Malays don’t have to wait to get on board the DAP train. And I don’t think the DAP will stop any Malay getting on board. Unfortunately the DAP guys at the moment are some thick heads who would lay their life down for form!. But the very doctrine of DAP is, well, o.k, la….ofcourse they want to make it a socialist state….but fact is….that is already in place as it is.Other than that, I don’t think there is anything about race and so on. Which is great. You can always force a name change at a later date. Important thing is getting on board now!
July 30, 2007 at 9:58 am
nuraina samad,
Just wanted to weigh in my 2 cents. If one repeats an untruth sufficient times, it becomes accepted as the real thing.
Hence if there is repeated parroting that Malaysia is an Islamic state, then it will be accepted as norm. Q.E.D.
I have been a victim of this repeating of a fake story, and I thought that the truth will always be seen. It will be, eventually. (I am still waiting for it to happen after 3 years). Unfortunately it may not be timely.
Nevertheless, I am now a born-again believer in that whenever anyone parrots an untruth, come down hard (like a ton of bricks a la Ops Lalang). Make the people who sprout untruths regret ever thinking that it was a solution.
Kindly repeat after me. The Malaysian Constitution is secular. It was written as such in 57, and will remain as such.